Sylvia D. Hamilton is a filmmaker, writer, and educator from Beechville, Nova Scotia. She is widely respected for her documentaries that re-examine Canadian history with a focus on the perspective of African Canadians.

Sylvia has been widely recognized for her work. Her awards include: a Gemini, The Portia White Prize, the CBC Television Pioneer Award, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, among others. She is well known locally and nationally for her award-winning documentary films, publications, and extensive volunteer work with various organizations.

Sylvia was a mentor with the Trudeau Foundation, has received three honorary degrees, and has held The Nancy’s Chair in Women’s Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. She also has served on and chaired many arts-related juries and was the national chair of the Women in Media Foundation. She is currently a professor at the University of King’s College – educating future journalists in the field of documentaries. 

Prismatic is honoured to have Sylvia to join us to present samples from both her film and literary works. We will screen Portia White: Think On Me, her documentary about the legendary Nova Scotian Portia White, and she will read from And I Alone Escaped To Tell You, her recent collection of poetry published by Gaspereau Press of Kentville, NS.